You don't need special tools or a lot of money to build this rugged American classic.

How to Build a Simple Split-Rail Fence

How to Build a Simple Split-Rail Fence

My simple ranch-style home was in desperate need of discipline. While my neighbors' property lines were neatly set off by picket fences and boxwood shrubs, mine lacked physical boundaries and seemed exposed, vulnerable—even unruly. With no fence, my expansive front lawn was edging its way onto the street, making itself irresistible to wayward dogs and parking cars.

The solution was to install a modest fence that would help contain my home while also giving it curb appeal. A split-rail seemed a good choice. It wouldn't obscure my one-story home but would provide it with a simple border along which I could plant shrubs. And I could festoon it with seasonal decorations.

I'll admit I'd never installed a fence before. But with careful planning and help from a few PopMech staffers, together we turned a seemingly daunting project into something manageable. The biggest challenge was digging the postholes—especially when we hit tough, gnarly tree roots—but as a team we finished the project in a weekend. It was well worth the effort: My new fence has brought much-needed order to my property, which no longer looks like the rough kid on the block.

The Paper Trail

The Paper Trail

We didn't want our fence to irk neighbors, damage utility lines, or elicit fines, so we took care of some necessary paperwork first. Though your situation may differ from mine, be sure to complete all administrative legwork before heading to the lumberyard.

Know your boundaries

Begin by researching your town's zoning laws. Once you understand local restrictions and ordinances, such as setbacks from your property lines and appropriate fence heights, you can decide where your fence will sit and how it will look.

Survey the situation

To ensure that your fence doesn't encroach on your neighbor's yard, and to check for public easements, study your property survey. You can often find it among your home's closing paperwork. We didn't have ours, so we asked the attorney who handled our home's sale for a copy.

Start sketching

Figure out where you want the fence and draw its location on a copy of the property survey. You can then calculate how much material you will need. We bought enough for 110 feet of fence, which cost us $425.

Know what's below

A ruptured gas line will ruin your day, so call 811 before digging. This connects you to a nonprofit organization that sends utility companies to your property to mark the locations of underground pipes and cables with color-coded flags. But first stake out your proposed fence with white flags so they know where to start.

Get the go-ahead

We had to file a fence permit with our building department, which also required us to pay a small fee and include a sketch of the project.